I woke up in such a cranky mood yesterday. My lioness was definitely ready to ROAR! Even though my day was peaceful, my sleep was fitful, waking up 10 times or more. I’ll chalk it up to hormones but wow, not fun to be me the next morning. I wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything, not even happy 4-legged Suki. I was hoping to gain some relief with my morning meditation but that was equally fitful with every little sound irritating me (I’m very tonal) and my attention not able to stay centered or under eyelid (if you’ve done any work with me, you know what I mean). Ahhhh…. lots of breathing and refocusing but sometimes it just doesn’t work. What did work, though (and is usually magic for me), was walking meditation. Feeling the warm and inviting Earth underneath my feet, I instantly settled. Barefoot in my backyard, slow steps, mindful awareness, breath gently following body, resting and releasing with each step. What a relief! Mother Earth is always ready to take whatever I’m willing to release. I have much gratitude! My connection to the Earth is deep. It is for all of us as we are made of this Earth - there is no separation. Dropping into Her presence helps me drop back into mine. I’m able to let go of the pains and perceptions that caught me, my steps becoming gentle as I untangle the twists and turns of my mind. One circuit around the yard and I was a completely new person. My lioness tail was wagging and so was Suki’s as the Mom that she knows and loves was back.Walking meditation, one of the four postures of meditation, is a beautiful way to earth. Earthing, a current day term used to describe the health practice of connecting our energies with the Earth, has been with us since the beginning of our time. Energetically grounding us, our contact with the Earth’s energies aligns our polarities to provide better brain and body functions. Physiologically, it helps to improve immune function, reduces pain and inflammation, decreases the stress response, and increases a sense of well-being. Think about the last time you spent time out in nature, how good you felt afterwards. Yes! Walking meditation is also a practice of presence. When we walk, we just walk. We are with each step, noticing our body and breath and noticing the Earth’s body and breath. It’s one of the most beautiful things you can do in your life. So the next time you wake up all cranked out, get out of your way and go outside. Take those shoes and socks off and walk for peace….another free form of stress relief. And for more on getting grounded, check out the short video below which describes two techniques used in Eden Energy Medicine that will open up the gateways and help you feel more grounded and stable in meeting the needs of the day.